2015-21012. Safety Zone, Coast Guard Exercise Area, Hood Canal, Washington

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone around vessels involved in Coast Guard training exercises in Hood Canal, WA from September 23, 2015 through September 24, 2015, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port. This is necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public and vessels participating in these exercises. During the enforcement period, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1339 will be enforced from 12:01 a.m. on September 23, 2015 through 11:59 p.m. on September 24, 2015, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice, call or email LT Kate Haseley, Sector Puget Sound Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone around vessels involved in Coast Guard training exercises in Hood Canal, WA set forth in 33 CFR 165.1339, from 12:01 a.m. on September 23, 2015 through 11:59 p.m. on September 24, 2015, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port. Under the provisions of 33 CFR 165.1339, no person or vessel may enter or remain within 500 yards of any vessel involved in Coast Guard training exercises while such vessel is transiting Hood Canal, WA between Foul Weather Bluff and the entrance to Dabob Bay, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative. In addition, the regulation establishes requirements for all vessels to obtain permission for entry during the enforcement period by contacting the on-scene patrol commander on VHF channel 13 or 16, or the Sector Puget Sound Joint Harbor Operations Center at 206-217-6001. Members of the maritime public will be able to identify participating vessels as those flying the Coast Guard Ensign. The COTP may also be assisted in the enforcement of the zone by other federal, state, or local agencies.

This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 165.1339 and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). In addition to this notice in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard will provide the maritime community with notification of this enforcement period via marine information broadcasts and on-scene assets. If the COTP determines that the regulated area need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice, a Broadcast Notice to Mariners may be used to grant general permission to enter the regulated area.

Dated: August 10, 2015.

M.W. Raymond

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Puget Sound.